EP1004091A1 - Ergonomic pointing device - Google Patents

Ergonomic pointing device

Info

Publication number
EP1004091A1
EP1004091A1 EP98938829A EP98938829A EP1004091A1 EP 1004091 A1 EP1004091 A1 EP 1004091A1 EP 98938829 A EP98938829 A EP 98938829A EP 98938829 A EP98938829 A EP 98938829A EP 1004091 A1 EP1004091 A1 EP 1004091A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
hand
base
held
user
manipulation device
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP98938829A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Inventor
Smart Technologies Uk Limited Health
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Individual
Original Assignee
Individual
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Individual filed Critical Individual
Publication of EP1004091A1 publication Critical patent/EP1004091A1/en
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
    • G06F3/00—Input arrangements for transferring data to be processed into a form capable of being handled by the computer; Output arrangements for transferring data from processing unit to output unit, e.g. interface arrangements
    • G06F3/01—Input arrangements or combined input and output arrangements for interaction between user and computer
    • G06F3/03—Arrangements for converting the position or the displacement of a member into a coded form
    • G06F3/033—Pointing devices displaced or positioned by the user, e.g. mice, trackballs, pens or joysticks; Accessories therefor
    • G06F3/0354—Pointing devices displaced or positioned by the user, e.g. mice, trackballs, pens or joysticks; Accessories therefor with detection of 2D relative movements between the device, or an operating part thereof, and a plane or surface, e.g. 2D mice, trackballs, pens or pucks
    • G06F3/03543—Mice or pucks
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
    • G06F2203/00—Indexing scheme relating to G06F3/00 - G06F3/048
    • G06F2203/033—Indexing scheme relating to G06F3/033
    • G06F2203/0333—Ergonomic shaped mouse for one hand
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
    • G06F2203/00—Indexing scheme relating to G06F3/00 - G06F3/048
    • G06F2203/033—Indexing scheme relating to G06F3/033
    • G06F2203/0334—Ergonomic shaped mouse for vertical grip, whereby the hand controlling the mouse is resting or gripping it with an attitude almost vertical with respect of the working surface

Definitions

  • the present invention concerns improved hand-held control devices such as a mouse for a computer, together with systems for effecting fatigue relief of users of same.
  • Mouse devices are widely used in conjunction with computers to provide input means, controlling for example an on-screen cursor.
  • Mouse devices are typically provided with at least one button.
  • Conventional mouse devices comprise a housing having a flat underside which rests on e.g. a desk, and a rounded upper portion.
  • the rounded upper portion is typically arcuate such that in use, a user's hand is placed with the palm facing downwards and contacting the rounded upper portion. This results in the user's hand and forearm being held in a prone position whereby the user's wrist is forced out of alignment with the rest of the arm, causing muscular and nervous tension.
  • Manipulation of the mouse particularly over a prolonged period of time, causes the wrist and forearm to work at an extreme range and can result in serve muscular and nervous fatigue.
  • the conventional mouse provides no support for the part of the hand which is adjacent wrist.
  • the weight of the arm results in the muscle work required to maintain the position of the hand and arm being increased, and simultaneously the ligaments are put on maximum stretch.
  • Using the mouse for extended periods of time can therefore cause pain, and inflammation in the supporting structures of the arm, for example, the wrist, elbow, forearm and neck.
  • Similar problems are encountered with other hand-held manipulation devices such as "joysticks" which are also held with the hand and forearm in a prone position.
  • a hand-held manipulation device comprising a base and a generally rounded mound portion rising from said base, said base and mound portion being arranged such that in use the palm of the hand and wrist of a user are held at a mid-position between pronation (i.e. palm of the hand facing downwards) and supination (i.e. palm of the hand facing upwards).
  • This position is considered a "natural" position.
  • the hand of the user may be outstretched (i.e. not clenched) when using the device.
  • the base and mound portion may be arranged such that the little finger of the user rests on the base and the thumb and other fingers rest on and around the mound portion.
  • the device may be arranged such that the lateral aspect of the hyperthena eminence of the user's hand (the pad of flesh extending at the side of the hand from the bottom of the little finger towards the wrist) rests on the base.
  • the devices of the present invention cause the hand and wrist, and therefore the forearm, to be aligned in a natural, comfortable position, which does not result in the excessive fatigue and possible pain and injury encountered when using prior art devices, and which allows an increase in the length of time for which the devices may be used when compared to e.g. conventional "mouse" devices.
  • the devices also provide the additional advantage of allowing the most comfortable position to be attained by the user in a minimal work space.
  • the device may have at least one input means positioned on the mound portion. Such input means may be positioned such that in use the fingers or thumb of the user would rest over them.
  • the manipulation device may comprise a "mouse" for use with a computer and may for example have a set of three switches positioned on the mound portion such that each of the user's fingers (other than the little finger) is positioned over a switch.
  • Alternative input means such as a rotating wheel may be used in the device, for example by the thumb, or a mini-joystick type device may be positioned for manipulation by the thumb.
  • Mouse devices of the present invention which in use are translated across a surface whilst maintaining the positioning of the hand, wrist and forearm, contrast with e.g. computer joysticks which require a user's hand to be clenched and require wide- ranging movement of the wrist and hand.
  • the base may additionally be provided with a side wall or side walls which act to provide support for the little finger, wrist and/or thumb of the user, thereby preventing slippage from the device.
  • the side wall(s) also help to ensure that the device can only be held in a correct fashion.
  • the device may additionally comprise wrist or arm support means.
  • wrist support means may comprise an extension to the base of the device.
  • Arm support means may be separate from the main body (i.e. base) of the device but used simultaneously.
  • a mouse for use with a computer, it may additionally be provided with an underside for contacting a surface in use.
  • the underside may have an aperture through which protrudes a roller ball device for determining the movement of the device.
  • the mouse may comprise the circuitry necessary to translate the movement of the mouse and the operation of the input means into a signal suitable for a computer. Such circuitry is widely used and will be readily apparent to one skilled in the art.
  • a mouse may be connected to a computer by a wire or it may be a "wireless" device, communicating with the computer using radio waves.
  • the device may have a detachable portion containing data storage means, for example a flash-RAM memory device.
  • the detachable portion may for example comprise part of the upper mound portion.
  • the data storage means may, like any removable drive, store any desired data for example word processor documents.
  • Figure 1 shows a plan view of a mouse according to the present invention
  • Figure 2 shows a side view of the mouse of Figure 1 ;
  • Figure 3 shows a rear view of the mouse of Figure 1 ;
  • Figure 4 shows a front view of the mouse of Figure 1;
  • FIG. 5 shows a side view of the mouse of Figure 1.
  • a manipulation device comprises mouse 10 having base 20 and mound portion 30 formed from a single piece plastic moulding. Side walls 40 and 50 provide support for the wrist, little finger and the lateral aspect of the hyperthena eminence of a user (not shown), ensuring that mouse 10 is correctly held and preventing slippage from it.
  • Mound 30 is generally teardrop shaped so that the hand of a user (not shown) will surround it, fingers (other than the little finger) contacting rotatable wheel 61 and switches 62, 63, the whole of the hand being outstretched and open, and the palm resting on mound 30 at a general angle of about 90° from horizontal.
  • Mouse 10 also has roller ball 70 which is used to determine its movements on the surface it is used on.
  • Mound position 30 contains the electronic circuitry necessary to detect rotation of roller ball 70, convert it and input from wheel 61 and switches 62, 63 into an electrical signal and transmit it as a radio signal to be received by a computer (not shown).
  • Low friction pads are provided on the underside of mouse 10 in order to assist in its movement across a surface.
  • the hand and wrist readily come to rest in a natural position on mouse 10 and the muscles of the arm are very relaxed when compared to holding a conventional mouse.
  • Mound portion 30 has a detachable section (not shown) containing flash- RAM memory and which is accessible to a computer (not shown) to which it is attached as a removable drive, allowing the storage of computer files on the detachable section.
  • Mouse 10 is arranged with base 20, mound 30, side walls 40 and 50, and input means 61-63 such that it is suitable for use in the right hand.
  • a device suitable for use in the left hand is simply provided by arranging those parts (above) in a mirror image to those shown in the Figures.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Theoretical Computer Science (AREA)
  • Human Computer Interaction (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Position Input By Displaying (AREA)

Abstract

The present invention concerns hand held manipulation devices comprising a base and a generally rounded mound portion rising from said base, said base and mound portion being arranged such that in use the palm of the hand and wrist of a user are held at a mid-position between pronation and supination. In particular it concerns computer 'mouses'.

Description

ERGONOMIC POINTING DEVICE
The present invention concerns improved hand-held control devices such as a mouse for a computer, together with systems for effecting fatigue relief of users of same.
"Mouse" devices are widely used in conjunction with computers to provide input means, controlling for example an on-screen cursor. Mouse devices are typically provided with at least one button.
Conventional mouse devices comprise a housing having a flat underside which rests on e.g. a desk, and a rounded upper portion. The rounded upper portion is typically arcuate such that in use, a user's hand is placed with the palm facing downwards and contacting the rounded upper portion. This results in the user's hand and forearm being held in a prone position whereby the user's wrist is forced out of alignment with the rest of the arm, causing muscular and nervous tension. Manipulation of the mouse, particularly over a prolonged period of time, causes the wrist and forearm to work at an extreme range and can result in serve muscular and nervous fatigue.
Furthermore, the conventional mouse provides no support for the part of the hand which is adjacent wrist. The weight of the arm results in the muscle work required to maintain the position of the hand and arm being increased, and simultaneously the ligaments are put on maximum stretch. Using the mouse for extended periods of time can therefore cause pain, and inflammation in the supporting structures of the arm, for example, the wrist, elbow, forearm and neck. Similar problems are encountered with other hand-held manipulation devices such as "joysticks" which are also held with the hand and forearm in a prone position.
The present invention overcomes the prior art disadvantages. According to the present invention there is provided a hand-held manipulation device comprising a base and a generally rounded mound portion rising from said base, said base and mound portion being arranged such that in use the palm of the hand and wrist of a user are held at a mid-position between pronation (i.e. palm of the hand facing downwards) and supination (i.e. palm of the hand facing upwards).. This position is considered a "natural" position.
The hand of the user may be outstretched (i.e. not clenched) when using the device.
In particular, the base and mound portion may be arranged such that the little finger of the user rests on the base and the thumb and other fingers rest on and around the mound portion. The device may be arranged such that the lateral aspect of the hyperthena eminence of the user's hand (the pad of flesh extending at the side of the hand from the bottom of the little finger towards the wrist) rests on the base.
In use, the devices of the present invention cause the hand and wrist, and therefore the forearm, to be aligned in a natural, comfortable position, which does not result in the excessive fatigue and possible pain and injury encountered when using prior art devices, and which allows an increase in the length of time for which the devices may be used when compared to e.g. conventional "mouse" devices. The devices also provide the additional advantage of allowing the most comfortable position to be attained by the user in a minimal work space. The device may have at least one input means positioned on the mound portion. Such input means may be positioned such that in use the fingers or thumb of the user would rest over them.
The manipulation device may comprise a "mouse" for use with a computer and may for example have a set of three switches positioned on the mound portion such that each of the user's fingers (other than the little finger) is positioned over a switch. Alternative input means such as a rotating wheel may be used in the device, for example by the thumb, or a mini-joystick type device may be positioned for manipulation by the thumb. Mouse devices of the present invention, which in use are translated across a surface whilst maintaining the positioning of the hand, wrist and forearm, contrast with e.g. computer joysticks which require a user's hand to be clenched and require wide- ranging movement of the wrist and hand.
As well as having a mound portion rising from it, the base may additionally be provided with a side wall or side walls which act to provide support for the little finger, wrist and/or thumb of the user, thereby preventing slippage from the device. The side wall(s) also help to ensure that the device can only be held in a correct fashion.
The device may additionally comprise wrist or arm support means. For example, wrist support means may comprise an extension to the base of the device. Arm support means may be separate from the main body (i.e. base) of the device but used simultaneously.
In the case of a mouse for use with a computer, it may additionally be provided with an underside for contacting a surface in use. The underside may have an aperture through which protrudes a roller ball device for determining the movement of the device. The mouse may comprise the circuitry necessary to translate the movement of the mouse and the operation of the input means into a signal suitable for a computer. Such circuitry is widely used and will be readily apparent to one skilled in the art. For example, a mouse may be connected to a computer by a wire or it may be a "wireless" device, communicating with the computer using radio waves.
The device may have a detachable portion containing data storage means, for example a flash-RAM memory device. The detachable portion may for example comprise part of the upper mound portion. The data storage means may, like any removable drive, store any desired data for example word processor documents. Thus a user may work on a document with a first device attached to a computer at the office, detach the mound portion of the device, on which is stored the document, take the mound portion home and attach it to a second device attached to a home computer and continue to work on the document.
The invention will be further apparent from the following description, with reference to the several figures of the accompanying drawings, which show, by way of example only, one form of the Figures:
Figure 1 shows a plan view of a mouse according to the present invention;
Figure 2 shows a side view of the mouse of Figure 1 ;
Figure 3 shows a rear view of the mouse of Figure 1 ;
Figure 4 shows a front view of the mouse of Figure 1; and
Figure 5 shows a side view of the mouse of Figure 1. A manipulation device according to the present invention comprises mouse 10 having base 20 and mound portion 30 formed from a single piece plastic moulding. Side walls 40 and 50 provide support for the wrist, little finger and the lateral aspect of the hyperthena eminence of a user (not shown), ensuring that mouse 10 is correctly held and preventing slippage from it. Mound 30 is generally teardrop shaped so that the hand of a user (not shown) will surround it, fingers (other than the little finger) contacting rotatable wheel 61 and switches 62, 63, the whole of the hand being outstretched and open, and the palm resting on mound 30 at a general angle of about 90° from horizontal. Mouse 10 also has roller ball 70 which is used to determine its movements on the surface it is used on.
Mound position 30 contains the electronic circuitry necessary to detect rotation of roller ball 70, convert it and input from wheel 61 and switches 62, 63 into an electrical signal and transmit it as a radio signal to be received by a computer (not shown).
Low friction pads (not shown) are provided on the underside of mouse 10 in order to assist in its movement across a surface.
In use, the hand and wrist readily come to rest in a natural position on mouse 10 and the muscles of the arm are very relaxed when compared to holding a conventional mouse.
Mound portion 30 has a detachable section (not shown) containing flash- RAM memory and which is accessible to a computer (not shown) to which it is attached as a removable drive, allowing the storage of computer files on the detachable section. Mouse 10 is arranged with base 20, mound 30, side walls 40 and 50, and input means 61-63 such that it is suitable for use in the right hand. A device suitable for use in the left hand is simply provided by arranging those parts (above) in a mirror image to those shown in the Figures.
It will be appreciated that it is not intended to limit the invention to the above example only, many variations, such as might readily occur to one skilled in the art, being possible, without departing from the scope thereof as defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A hand-held manipulation device comprising a base and a generally rounded mound portion rising from said base, said base and mound portion being arranged such that in use the palm of the hand and wrist of a user are held at a mid- position between pronation and supination
2. A hand-held manipulation device according to claim 1, the hand of the user being outstretched.
3. A hand-held manipulation device according to either one of the preceding claims, the base and mound portion being arranged such that the little finger of the user rests on the base and the thumb and other fingers rest on and around the mound portion.
4. A hand-held manipulation device according to any one of the preceding claims, being arranged such that the lateral aspect of the hyperthena eminence of the user's hand rests on the base.
5. A hand-held device according to any one of the preceding claim, having at least one input means positioned on the mound position.
6. A hand-held manipulation device according to any one of the preceding claims, the base additionally having at least one side wall.
7. A hand-held manipulation device according to any one of the preceding claims, additionally comprising wrist or arm support means.
8. A hand-held manipulation device according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a computer mouse or joystick.
9. A hand-held manipulation device according to claim 8, comprising a computer mouse, additionally comprising an underside for contacting a surface.
EP98938829A 1997-08-18 1998-08-17 Ergonomic pointing device Withdrawn EP1004091A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB9717470 1997-08-18
GB9717470A GB9717470D0 (en) 1997-08-18 1997-08-18 A hand-held computer control device
PCT/GB1998/002456 WO1999009515A1 (en) 1997-08-18 1998-08-17 Ergonomic pointing device

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP1004091A1 true EP1004091A1 (en) 2000-05-31

Family

ID=10817646

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP98938829A Withdrawn EP1004091A1 (en) 1997-08-18 1998-08-17 Ergonomic pointing device

Country Status (4)

Country Link
EP (1) EP1004091A1 (en)
AU (1) AU8742698A (en)
GB (2) GB9717470D0 (en)
WO (1) WO1999009515A1 (en)

Families Citing this family (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE19901861A1 (en) * 1999-01-19 2000-07-20 Ulrich Schmidt Computer mouse has rearward declining lateral grip surface of housing with essentially shape of at least one section of spherical casing with apex angle of no greater than 40 degrees.
NL1015696C1 (en) * 2000-07-13 2002-01-15 Marcel Petrus Simons Computer mouse for analogue search, reading and operation of software parameters and switches.
DE10127589C2 (en) * 2001-06-06 2003-09-11 Joerg Rehwald Control element for computers
GB2401418A (en) * 2002-10-22 2004-11-10 Christopher William Rickwood A pointer device presenting a hand in a vertical position
US7145548B2 (en) 2003-06-03 2006-12-05 Torbay Holdings Biomechanically low load computer mouse
US20050253805A1 (en) * 2004-05-14 2005-11-17 Kennedy Robert D Hand positioner for computer mouse
KR101205023B1 (en) * 2005-01-30 2012-11-26 스위프트포인트 리미티드 Computer Mouse Peripheral
EP1958045B1 (en) 2005-12-09 2018-07-18 Thomson Licensing System including a hand-held wireless graphical input device and a computer device.

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2244546A (en) * 1990-05-10 1991-12-04 Primax Electronics Ltd Computer input device
US5355147A (en) * 1993-10-04 1994-10-11 Donald Lear Ergonomic computer mouse
EP0674288A1 (en) * 1994-03-24 1995-09-27 AT&T Corp. Multidimensional mouse
US5576733A (en) * 1994-05-25 1996-11-19 Lo; Jack Ergonomic computer mouse
US5648798A (en) * 1995-02-13 1997-07-15 Hamling; Daniel T. Universal ergonomic computer mouse/trackball
US5726683A (en) * 1995-08-09 1998-03-10 Midas Mouse International Pty. Ergonomic computer mouse
DE29705812U1 (en) * 1997-04-02 1997-05-28 Laug Horst Ergonomic surface for trackball input device (PC mouse)

Non-Patent Citations (1)

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Title
See references of WO9909515A1 *

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
WO1999009515A1 (en) 1999-02-25
GB2328496B (en) 2002-02-27
GB2328496A (en) 1999-02-24
GB9717470D0 (en) 1997-10-22
GB9817729D0 (en) 1998-10-14
AU8742698A (en) 1999-03-08

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